So you’ve just decided to pick up a shiny new iPhone 6, huh? Well, take it from someone who was previously against the use of cases with the iPhone 4 and 5: you’ll need to protect the iPhone 6 with something.
This shiny piece of metal has earned a rep for being a slippery device, so if you value your investment then putting a case on it is definitely recommended. Now the iPhone accessory market is filled with options to choose from — from the super-protective and chunky tanks to the slimmer, more elegant designs — so if you’re stuck for ideas, here’s a roundup of cases worth taking a look at.
Element Case Soft-Tec
“Wallet cases” have never been my thing, but having used Element Case’s Soft-Tec (£49.95/$49.95) for a few days I can honestly say it’s sort of won me over. It’s designed with a low-profile soft-touch plastic shell to protect the iPhone’s back and sides (which, given the opportunity, I’d happily use as a standalone case), and the exterior is made up of a grippy material which makes it feel far more secure in the hand.
Open up the case and you’ll find a nicely textured red synthetic suede material, along with a single credit card slot.
Despite a thick front cover which could house a magnet, it’s disappointing to see the lack of wake/sleep functionality here. That said, if a wallet-style case is what you’re after, this is a solid option.
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Element Case ION
Covered in “high impact resistant TPU” and a backplate made out of genuine aerospace grade carbon fibre polycarbonate, ION by Element Case (£39.95/$49.95) looks and feels like the type of case that can take a battering. (It also looks like something that should have been in a Transformers movie.)
Despite its rugged built, the ION feels fairly slim and lightweight in the hand, and the TPU surrounding the case actually provides a nice grip. The integrated power & volume buttons can be tough to press at times, but besides that, the ION is a good case for those of us who are more accident prone.
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Spigen Neo Hybrid
Spigen cases got into my good books after a positive experience with the Slim Armor for iPhone 5, and the Neo Hybrid for iPhone 6 (£18.99/$34.99) has left me even more impressed.
Its web pattern TPU case provides shock absorption technology — a feature I unwillingly tested after a few accidental drops — along with a replaceable polycarbonate frame that comes in a wide range of colours. The Neo Hybrid’s slim design means that it doesn’t take away from the iPhone 6’s slick shape, but it still feels more than strong enough to deal with impact damage.
Taking into account its perfectly reasonable price tag, Spigen’s Neo Hybrid earns a definite recommendation from me.
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Spigen Slim Armor CS
If a wallet case isn’t for you but you like the idea of keeping your iPhone & cards together, then Spigen’s Slim Armor CS (£23.99/$39.99) could be your best bet. This case is slightly heavier and chunkier than the aforementioned Neo Hybrid, but on the flip side you’re getting a discreet card storage compartment for on the back of the case. Just slide out the back panel and it’ll reveal a TPU-constructed compartment where you can house 2 cards.
The Slim Armor CS’s main caveat is that the power & volume buttons don’t have a tactile “clicky” feel to them, as they’re made out of the TPU frame surrounding the iPhone. (The buttons can actually be difficult to press down at times.)
If you can overlook that, the Slim Armor CS is a good choice if you want to keep your iPhone & cards in a single place.
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Spigen Thin Fit
Spigen’s Thin Fit (£10.99/$14.99) is made for those who prefer to travel light and add as little bulk to their iPhone 6 as possible. No fancy tricks or design features here — the Thin Fit is a simple case with a polycarbonate matte-finish shell which protects the back and sides of your device.
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STM Dux for iPhone 6
STM’s Dux for iPhone 6 (£29.99/$29.99) is dubbed as their “most protective and rugged” case. It features a textured rubberised frame that gives you a nice grip in the hand, and it’s also strong enough to keep the iPhone protected from any knocks and drops.
The back panel is made out of a transparent polycarbonate material that lets the colour of your iPhone show through — but if you’re feeling creative you can also throw in a photo/design to personalise it a little. The choice is yours!
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NueVue Leather Case
Having used a NueVue for my iPhone 5, I knew what to expect from the iPhone 6 version (£39.99). This particular version is made out of an animal-friendly faux leather which feels lovely to hold, but NueVue’s real selling point is what’s on the inside.
The case’s interior is lined with microfibre cloth featuring NueVue’s “BioCote antimicrobial technology”, designed to clean your iPhone 6 every time you put it back in the case. It helps to keep your device hygienic, and conveniently removes those annoying fingerprint marks whenever you take it back out of the case!
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Cygnett UrbanShield
If you like a brushed aluminium look, the Cygnett UrbanShield (£14.95/$34.99) is right up your alley. The frame is made out of a soft-touch matte plastic which feels really nice in the hand, while the back has a brushed aluminium look and feel.
Both textures give the device a better grip when you’re holding it (making it less likely to topple to the ground), but be weary: it has an exposed top and bottom so it won’t be the best protector for your iPhone 6. That said, if you want to go light and get a metallic look on the way, the Cygnett UrbanShield could be for you.
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Tucano Filo Booklet
Tucano’s Filo Booklet case (£19.00/$30.00) combines all-round protection for your iPhone 6, storage for your cards, and adjustable viewing angles for watching videos. The outside is designed with a brushed metal look and feel, and it includes a magnetic front cover for sleep/wake functionality.
Your iPhone is held in place by a rigid plastic frame (which could do with some improved cushioning for adding/removing the iPhone), but once its in, your iPhone 6 will be well protected. Tucano have lined the interior of the Booklet case with microfibre, and on the inside of the flip cover there’s a single card slot.
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Totallee Scarf
California-based Totallee recently launched the incredibly thin Scarf case ($14.99). It’s just 3.5mm thick — one of the thinnest cases I’ve seen — and weighs in at only 5.6grams, so if you want to keep away dirt and prevent scratches but like to keep your iPhone as slim as possible, this case is for you. An added bonus alongside the Scarf’s slim design is the fact that its matte finish improves your grip on the iPhone 6.
You’re unlikely to survive any crazy drop tests with Totallee’s Scarf case, but it’s a good option for keeping things minimal and lightweight.
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Sena Heritage Lugano
The Heritage Lugano ($49.95) is made by Sena, one of the leading luxury iPhone case manufacturers I’ve come across. This is a solid snap-on case covered in genuine leather and bordered with a gunmetal metallic trim for a dash of extra style. Its interior is lined with a soft herringbone microsuede to cushion your iPhone 6, and overall it just looks and feels really premium.
To make things better, for an extra $7.99 Sena even allow you to personalise the case by adding up to 3 initials on the back.
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Sena UltraSlim Wallet
Sena’s UltraSlim Wallet ($44.95) is a simple pouch case for iPhone that’s made out of a lovely tumbled leather and uses herringbone microsuede lining on the inside. The front of the pouch case has a single credit card slot which is convenient, too.
It would have been nice to see an easier way of getting the iPhone 6 out of the case — you have to push from the bottom to slide the device out — but it’s not a huge pain point. The UltraSlim Wallet is a good option if you’re after a stylish, lightweight and slim pouch case.
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So there you have it — that’s our iPhone 6 case roundup. Let us know in the comments if this roundup helped you make a choice for your next iPhone 6 case, and whether there are any other cases you think are worth checking out!
